Manufacture of metal frames for tennis and other rackets

ABSTRACT

Metal frame for tennis or other racket, characterized in that it consists of two tubular metal elements shaped in the usual way, at least one of which has on one surface imprints or depressions, which, when the said elements are assembled one on top of the other, form spaces for the passage and fixing of interwoven strings.

United States Patent Santini-Ormieres et al.

1451 Aug. 26, 1975 MANUFACTURE OF METAL FRAMES FOR TENNIS AND OTHERRACKETS Inventors: Jean Santini-Ormieres, 115 Rue Vendome, Lyon; ReneSpenle, 75 Bie Rue Pierre Voyant; Michel Chervin, 1 12 Rue AnatoleFrance, both of Villeurbanne (Rhone), all of France Filed: July 13, 1973Appl. No.: 379,001

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 2, 1972 France 72.28500 U.S. Cl273/73 C; 29/463; 29/475; 273/73 D Int. Cl A63b 49/00 Field of Search29/463, 475; 273/73 I-I, 273/75 C, 73 J, 73 D References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 6/1887 Luce 273/73 C 702,483 6/1902 Rogers 29/463 UX943,257 12/1909 Kurtzner 29/463 X 3,086,777 4/1963 Lacoste 273/73 H3,528,658 9/1970 Cheris et al. 273/73 C 3,625,512 l/ l968 Latham 273/73H 3,633,910 1/1972 Spenle 273/73 .1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 566,130 12/1944 United Kingdom 273/73 HPrimary Examiner-Charlie T. Moon Attorney, Agent, or FirmDowell & Dowel]3' Claims, 8 Drawing Figures MANUFACTURE OF METAL FRAMES FOR TENNIS ANDOTHER RACKETS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is well known that racketswith metal frames have undeniable advantages with regard to lightnessand resistance to warping, and that it is their relatively high pricewhich has restricted their commercialisation up to now.

In order to remedy this the present invention concerns a metal racketframe which can be massproduced at a very low cost while showingcharacteristics in use comparable with those of known metal frames.

The frame in the invention is characterised in that it consists of twooval tubular metal elements shaped in the usual way, at least one ofwhich has on one surface imprints or depressions, which, when the saidelements are assembled one on top of the other, form spaces for thepassage and fixing of interwoven strings.

The method of production necessary for the above arrangement starts withshaping the two tubular elements in the usual way. They are then stampedto give them imprints or depressions on the sides which will be joined,and they are assembled by welding or brazing, naturally while takingcare that the depressions on the two elements conincide.

The attached diagrams, given as an example, will assist in understandingthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the two tubular elements of a frame asin the invention after shaping.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one of the elements after stamping.

FIG. 3 is a side view on a larger scale with part cut away showing thedepressions obtained.

FIG. 4 shows in the same way the two elements after assembly.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are transverse sections through V-V (FIG. 3) and VIVI(FIG. 4) respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to those of FIGS. 4 and 6, butcorrespond to a variation in manufacture of the invention.

As mentioned at the beginning, to make a metal frame for tennis andother rackets one starts by cutting a certain length of metal tubing toobtain two rectilinear elements. These are then shaped into the usualform shown in FIG. 1 including a part 1 which is quite considerablycurved in order to take the standard stringing, and two rectilinearlengths 2 parallel to one another to form the handle.

The mutually adjacent faces, or at least one thereof, of each of the twoelements thus obtained is then submitted to stamping to make depressions3 (FIGS. 3 and 5) on the side of the said part 1, suitably spaced out.This spacing can be regular or irregular, depending on the type ofstringing to be used. The parts 1 are given a sort of castellated shapein profile which affects one or other of the sides in the plan of thesaid part 1.

After stamping the two elements are placed one on top of the other, sothat the depressions 3 meet. One only needs then to join these elementsby a line of brazing or welding 4 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The depressions 3form openings 5 for the passage of the criss-cross stringing.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the depressions 3 in the two tubular elementscan be of considerable length to form longer openings 5' to allow thepassage of several strings, the said strings then being held through theperforations 6a by a small plate of synthetic material 6, fixed to theoutside edge of the frame proper.

It should be appreciated that the depressions 3 in the two tubularelements which form the frame can be of varying depth; in certain casesonly one of the elements need have any depressions, and the other canremain smooth.

We claim:

1. A metal frame for securing the ends of interwoven strings for atennis or other racket, comprising two tubular oval-shaped metal frameelements assembled and secured one on top of the other and havingmutually adjacent faces contacting each other, the adjacent face of atleast one of said oval frame elements being formed with a series ofdepressions disposed such that when the frame elements are securedtogether face to face said depressions form spaces between the elementsto receive and pass the strings.

2. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjacent faces of bothframe elements are formed with depressions which are in mutualregistration when th frame elements are secured together.

3. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interwoven strings havespaces of fixed length therebetween and wherein each depression asmeasured along the frame is long enough to pass strings spaced apart bytwice said fixed length, and plate means on the outside edge of saidframe elements to receive and anchor the strings extending through saiddepressions.

1. A metal frame for securing the ends of interwoven strings for atennis or other racket, comprising two tubular oval-shaped metal frameelements assembled and secured one on top of the other and havingmutually adjacent faces contacting each other, the adjacent face of atleast one of said oval frame elements being formed with a series ofdepressions disposed such that when the frame elements are securedtogether face to face said depressions form spaces between the elementsto receive and pass the strings.
 2. A frame as set forth in claim 1,wherein the adjacent faces of both frame elements are formed withdepressions which are in mutual registration when the frame elements aresecured together.
 3. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein theinterwoven strings have spaces of fixed length therebetween and whereineach depression as measured along the frame is long enough to passstrings spaced apart by twice said fixed length, and plate means on theoutside edge of said frame elements to receive and anchor the stringsextending through said depressions.